Blue Bean: The Office 2.0

A Twist on Workspace Design
3000+
Coffee Dates Brewed Each Month
85%
Cost Savings Compared to Traditional Office Leasing
2
Locations and Counting

The Challenge

twopoint0 faced a critical decision when it came to finding a physical space that would support its mission. The challenge wasn’t just about securing an office, it was about creating The Office 2.0, an evolved workspace that redefined traditional expectations. The goal was to design a dynamic environment that fostered collaboration, inspired innovation, and served as a community hub, while remaining practical and flexible in terms of usage.

Understanding The Challenge

  • Reframing the Need for a Workspace: While some companies choose to avoid physical spaces entirely to reduce costs, twopoint0 recognized the necessity for an environment where high levels of collaboration could flourish. The challenge lay in creating a workspace that wasn't just an office for day-to-day work, but an adaptable space that facilitated innovation and meaningful interaction.
  • Balancing Flexibility with Active Collaboration: The team acknowledged that while they didn’t need a traditional office setup where everyone was present every hour of the day, their collaboration demands were still high. This meant that an "always-on" workspace was not required, but an innovation space where teams could come together, share ideas, and engage actively was essential. This realization led to the question, "How can we take on the responsibility of a physical space more smartly?"
  • Considering Location and Accessibility: The decision was not just about the type of space but also about its location. The traditional downtown office came with downsides: commuting, parking costs, and a hectic environment. twopoint0 took a different route, opting for a suburban location that offered convenience, a more relaxed atmosphere, and accessibility to amenities. This choice provided an opportunity to challenge the conventional wisdom of workspaces being centered in commercial districts.

The Journey

From Office Space to Coffee Shop

Version 1.0

Establishing the Need for a Coworking Space
The first step was confirming that a dedicated workspace was necessary to accommodate the team's active in-person collaboration needs. While fully remote models were popular, they wouldn't fully support twopoint0's high-collaboration culture. The next step was exploring smarter ways to utilize a physical space. The shared coworking model emerged as the ideal approach: if the space wasn’t used by the team at all times, it could be shared, thereby maximizing the value of the space while also distributing the costs.

Version 1.5

Pivoting to a Suburban Location
The decision to look beyond traditional downtown locations marked a significant pivot. The suburbs offered a quieter, more convenient setting where commuting was easier, parking was not an issue, and amenities were more accessible. This pivot wasn’t just about avoiding the hassle of city life; it was a strategic move to embrace a setting that better aligned with the team's lifestyle and preferences. The suburban location also presented a unique challenge, creating a coworking space that integrated seamlessly into the community rather than existing as a standalone entity.

Version

Incorporating Community Through the Coffee Shop Experience
The final iteration addressed the question of how to integrate the workspace into the suburban community. The solution came through the introduction of a coffee shop element, creating a hybrid space that combined the functionalities of a coworking environment and a local coffee shop. This approach didn’t just offer a place for work; it created a community hub where people could gather, connect, and collaborate. The decision not to brand the space with the twopoint0 name was deliberate, it was designed to be a welcoming environment for anyone, not just those familiar with the company. Blue Bean became a unique blend of an innovation space and a community coffee shop, offering a space that facilitated a variety of experiences, from focused work to casual meetings.
contact us
The transition from considering an office lease to creating a dynamic suburban hub wasn't a linear path, but one filled with intentional pivots and reframes. This process illustrates the power of approaching business challenges with an innovation mindset, where the solution evolves through exploration, iteration, and the willingness to step outside conventional norms. Blue Bean isn’t just a workspace; it’s a testament to the impact of taking risks, embracing change, and shaping new ways to work and connect.

Innovation Dimension

Impact And Insights

This journey highlights the importance of questioning traditional assumptions about workspaces. By approaching the challenge through an innovation lens, twopoint0 turned a basic need for office space into an opportunity to create something more valuable. The process underscores the potential of combining business needs with community engagement to deliver solutions that go beyond the original scope. The Blue Bean experience demonstrates that sometimes, solving a business challenge can lead to entirely new ventures and growth opportunities, especially when willing to explore unconventional paths.

Key Outcomes

  • Meeting and Exceeding Workspace Needs: Blue Bean successfully addressed the initial challenge by creating a workspace that fits twopoint0's specific needs for collaboration, innovation, and flexibility. The space wasn’t just a compromise; it became a solution that satisfied both practical requirements and aspirational desires. The intentional design features allow for a productive work environment while also offering a relaxed atmosphere that supports creativity and connection.

  • Redefining the Coffee Shop and Coworking Experience: Blue Bean has introduced unique offerings like coffee and toast flights, establishing itself as a designer coffee and gourmet toast destination. The innovative space breaks traditional norms, blending the vibe of a coffee shop with the functionality of a coworking space, reshaping what people expect from both environments.

  • Unexpected Business Growth: What began as a solution for twopoint0's workspace needs evolved into a new business opportunity in its own right. The success of the Blue Bean concept led to the opening of a second location, demonstrating the appeal and scalability of this hybrid model. Establishing Blue Bean in suburban communities, rather than downtown, resonated with local residents, creating a strong customer base and proving that innovative concepts can thrive outside traditional urban centers.

  • A Blueprint for Workspace Redesign: Blue Bean has not only met the needs of twopoint0 but has also become a model for other organizations seeking to rethink their workspace strategies. By sharing insights from the Blue Bean journey, twopoint0 has helped other businesses explore tailored workspace solutions that push them to truly understand their specific needs and maximize the effectiveness of their spaces. This approach emphasizes innovative design while adapting to the unique priorities and requirements of each organization.

Other Projects

See All

let's design the next.